pvl@houxh.UUCP (08/12/83)
The subject of nudity around children has been raised, so I
thought I'd try to stir up a discussion by posting some related
material from "The Naked Child", by Dennis Craig Smith published
by R&E Research Associates, Inc., Palo Alto, California. It's a
good book that can be gotten through the Naturists if not elsewhere.
Ask me if you want the address.
"The Naked Child" is based on a study and survey of social nudists
who were raised with nudism as a normal activity. Statistical analysis
is included.
The book starts with quotes from Dr. Spock, Dr. Joyce Brothers,
Dr. Sandor Lorand (honorary president of the Psychoanalytical Association
of New York), and about 6 other authorities who feel that exposure
to parental nudity is not advisable since, to truly oversimplify and
paraphrase, "any parent who parades nude in front of his children, or
others, is unconsciously seducing them." The conclusions range from
total concealment to covering up after the child reaches about age
9 or 10. The arguments are generally convincing (to me) on logical grounds.
"The Naked Child", however, argues that all of the experts are arguing
on *logical* grounds and haven't gathered any statistical data to confirm
or deny their conclusions. It then presents its statistical data in addition
to statements by other experts who do not agree with their peers.
I'll forego details, but the conclusion of the study includes:
"The experts warned about terrible guilts and frustrations; we
didn't find them. We found normal childhood problems of adjustment,
but we also found a group of adults seemingly satisfied with themselves
and very willing to raise their children as they were raised, with
nakedness as a part of their everyday life.
We were told that seeing the parents nude children would become
overstimulated. We found it hard to quantify 'overstimulation.'
We also heard from the adults that lived the lives of nudist children
that it was more stimulating to go to a regular beach - where everyone
wore suits, albeit small - than to play volleyball or sun at a nudist
park where everyone wore nothing. They said the mystery was gone.
Without previous studies to lean on, the experts told us that
children should not be allowed to see their parents nude, especially
during the years from nine to thirteen, "because it just isn't done."
It seems clear to us now, after five years of study, that the unfounded
bias and conjecture was more harmful than even misleading. Something
akin to doctors telling women in third world countries that breast
feeding could be harmful and artificial formula was better for their
babies. [Should this discussion move to net.misc??]
This is not being represented as the definitive study of the effects
of social and family nudity on the lives of children, only the first.
The research in this book has answered a few questions but has raised
some very vital ones. To be able to say for sure about anything
having to do with human behavior is very close to impossible, but not
to study an issue so rampant with opinion and emotion is scientifically
inexcusable. We hope we have given the reader some basics for formulating
opinion and enough curiosity to seek out and demand further studies."
Since I will soon be a parent, I'm interested in the experiences of
others. I wonder if a problem may arise if I decide to be casual
with family nudity since being *totally* casual with nudity isn't possible
in our society. I wonder if a child will be confused by sometimes being
allowed to be nude in public while generally being told that he/she can't
because...hmmm...that's another one: how do you explain to a child that
society generally requires clothing? I certainly don't want to convince
my child that his/her body is *dirty*?
What do you think? (Or, better yet, what do you know from experience?)
Pete LaMaster NJ